How Rare is the 1933 Goudey Napoleon Lajoie?

[philliesphan]

Originally Posted by Rollingstone206

PSA shows 82 graded #106 Napoleon Lajoie

Rather interesting looking at this longitudinally. (Since I am the aforementioned "Archive" in response #2 on this thread).

In 2003, there were 54 (PSA) and 7 (SGC) Lajoie cards graded. Today there are 82 (PSA) and 31 (SGC)

In twelve years, the population of this card graded has less than doubled, and that is not including any crack-outs or regrades.

Perhaps it goes to show that a good chunk of the Lajoie cards were professionally graded (largely by PSA) a very long time ago. Also interesting to note that over the last 12 years, SGC has graded almost as many Lajoies as PSA.

m

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by philliesphan

Perhaps it goes to show that a good chunk of the Lajoie cards were professionally graded (largely by PSA) a very long time ago. Also interesting to note that over the last 12 years, SGC has graded almost as many Lajoies as PSA.

Interesting thought, and it jives with another I had when I watched the Mastro Auctions video of the Lionel Carter collection. All his cards were graded through SGC, and he notes in the video that for this card, those who wrote in to Goudey to complain about the card missing were rewarded with "10", count'em 10 Lajoie's. He also mentions Jefferson Burdick got 10. May be common knowledge for those who have collected vintage longer than I, but I didn't see it referenced in this thread.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by swarmee

Interesting thought, and it jives with another I had when I watched the Mastro Auctions video of the Lionel Carter collection. All his cards were graded through SGC, and he notes in the video that for this card, those who wrote in to Goudey to complain about the card missing were rewarded with "10", count'em 10 Lajoie's. He also mentions Jefferson Burdick got 10. May be common knowledge for those who have collected vintage longer than I, but I didn't see it referenced in this thread.

I watched the video years ago...and remember the story that burdick had multiples of the lajoie and gave carter one...BUT...I had never heard that "everyone" that wrote in to Goudey received 10 Lajoies...is there any evidence to support this?

[toppcat]

Legendary auctioned the Durocher in July 2000. Here is the description:

"This unique 1933 Leo Durocher Goudey card has #106 on the reverse, which is the well known number of the famous and rare 1933 Napoleon Lajoie card in that set. This one-of-a-kind #106 Durocher card is otherwise identical in all respects to the actual #147 Durocher card in the 1933 Goudey set. This card originates from the collection of hobby pioneer Woody Gelman, who probably obtained it personally from a contact at Goudey. The card was most likely part of a proof run, with the card numbers later changed before being printed in production quantities. The apparent hand cut (as opposed to machine cut) of the card makes this theory all the more likely. Whatever the explanation, this card is certainly one of the most interesting and unique of all 1930's baseball cards. Ex-Halper Collection. Very Good condition."

Hammered at $13,112. No scan available.

[wolf441]

It's on page 339 of the Sotheby's Barry Halper Auction Catalog (The Early Years). Here's a scan...

[toppcat]

Nice plagiarism job by Legendary.

[wolf441]

Originally Posted by toppcat

Nice plagiarism job by Legendary.

I was thinking the same thing! Also veeeeery lenient grading by Sotheby's. "Very good condition", it looks like the top is about to break off...